Lions inject US$1.2m in eye care

By Juliet Waiswa                                            

The Lion's Club will treat one million people worldwide as part of activities to mark 100 years, the Lion Clubs International District Governor 411B, Hyderali Gangji, has revealed.

Gangji revealed that the Club will participate in eradicating measles and trachoma as one of its targets in the next three years ahead of the celebrations.

The campaign is one of the moves by the club members, international and local, to fight measles amongst children under five years of age and treatment of trachoma in the districts prone to sight problems.

(L-R) Lion Nimira Gangji; Multiple Council Chairperson Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Seychelles, Wilson Ndesanjo; Lion Club International District Governor 411B, Hyderali Gangji; Polly Ndyarugahi, the Post Council and Coordinator District 411B; and regional chairperson, Dr. Patrick Luwaga during an interview.  Photo/Juliet Waiswa        

Gangji, during an interview with the New Vision at the first cabinet meeting at the Mackinnon Suites in Kampala, said that the club will spend US$1.2m on the measles campaign next month and US$2.5m in the fight against trachoma.

He explained that the exercise will be carried out jointly with 46,000 clubs around the world, in the 210 countries which are fully participating in the exercise which

Polly Ndyarugahi, the Post Council and Coordinator, District 411B, revealed that the treatment in trachoma is an effort by the Lions in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to totally eliminate the disease in Busoga and Karamoja regions.

Ndyarugahi explained that they have teamed up with Lion Aid Norway to put up eye centres in Masaka, Mbale, Lira, Gulu, Kitugum and Lira.

The regional chairperson, Dr. Patrick Luwaga, said that the club is engaging youth by imparting life skills which will help them become better citizens.

They commended the government for supporting them in their effort to assist the vulnerable communities.

"The lions have performed their duties without any hassles due to government support," the Multiple Council Chairman Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Seychelles, Wilson Ndesanjo, said.